After reading the first book in the series, I eagerly waited for this one. And I must say Thom has outdone himself.
I loved book one, but Thom has upped the building tension and suspense with Safe Harbour. And kept his strong descriptive writing style.
Matt is taking a holiday away from his job as a lawyer. He wants his holiday to be totally relaxing. So he has chosen the small fishing town of Neymouth on the North East Coast. With plenty of coastal walks and historic places to visit.
Jake lives and works with his sister, after splitting from his controlling husband Vince, who refuses to accept their relationship is over. Jake and his sister run a small café together serving traditional homemade food.
Matt and Jake meet when Matt breaks up an argument between Jake and Vince, outside his holiday cottage. It is instant attraction, but neither make a move, both having too much baggage to add more would be silly.
But their hearts tell them otherwise and eventually they give into their desires.
Of course, Vince adds two and two together and gets 50. Which sets him off on a dangerous path, that continues spiralling.
The three main characters and the secondary characters are so well written. As is the descriptive story world. Thom has a very descriptive writing style. I could smell the fresh fish, feel the wind and rain of the north coast, hear the waves thrash against the rocks. I felt like I lived in the community, and I was part of Jakes group of friends.
As for the slow build up of tension, I found myself shouting “Oh no please do not let happen, what I think is going to happen” a few times, Oh and I was gritting my teeth at Vince and his Obsession to control Jake.
A riveting read from start to finish.